Superbike: Veneman Substitutes Toseland

Following the opening round of the 2011 World Superbike Championship in Phillip Island, James Toseland injured his wrist after crashing in a private test session.

Toseland, who took 17th in Race 1 and 14th in Race 2 in Australia, missed Round 2 in Donington, and will not compete in Assen. BMW Motorrad Italia will now substitute the injured Toseland for the “next few events.”

The substitute rider aboard the BMW S1000RR will be Barry Veneman, BMW Motorrad Italia said Wednesday.

Veneman, of the Netherlands, has much experience in international championships, and is familiar with the layout of his home track in Assen, where Round 3 of the World Superbike Championship will occur April 17. The Dutch rider competed in MotoGP during the 500cc era, and also World Supersport.

Veneman also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2010 aboard a Suzuki, and took third at the event in 2008.

BMW Motorrad Italia says: “Veneman has acquired a good knowledge of the BMW S 1000 RR, with which he raced – and will race again in 2011 – in the German IDM Championship; he has also participated in several developmental tests with the Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport.”

Toseland was injured during a private two-day World Superbike at Motorland Aragon last month. Toseland high-sided his S1000RR, fracturing his wrist.

After the crash, which occurred on Turn 10, Toseland remained still on the track due to violently hitting the pavement, landing on his head and right wrist.

Following the Superbike crash, Toseland visted a specialist in a Manchester hospital where they performed some work on his fractured wrist from the World Superbike test crash.

Barry Veneman Stats:

Barry Veneman was born in Zwolle (Netherlands) on 22 March 1977; he is married and has two children. His favorite tracks are Phillip Island (AUS) and TT Assen (NL). His favorite motorcycle is the BMW S1000RR.